Trials Are Good For You

 

The Christian life has been described as “heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” The question for the believer is not if trials will come, but what to do when they do come.

In the early morning hours of May 8^th my cell phone rang awaking me from a great sleep. The parental panic instantly runs through a thousand scenarios confusing the brain as one is coming to, sitting up and grabbing the ringing phone. Then I see one of the children’s name on the caller ID. Instantly, one visualizes the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with sadness developing. One takes a deep breath and answers with gentleness, knowing this phone call at four in the morning isn’t going to be cheerful. Our daughter informed me she discovered her husband of 36 years died in his sleep lying next to her. My wife is already crying and mourning but yet doesn’t know what has happened. After I got some concrete information from our daughter, I then had to tell my wife.

A shock is putting it lightly, but because we all share in the deep faith of God’s providence and authority the whole family could accept the tragedy without prejudice. God is still love and there is no doubt in my mind our son-in-law is in the presence of God.

[Acts 14:22] The apostle Paul said, “…We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Paraphrased into today’s language, Jesus might say we have a “rough row to hoe” before we enter into God’s presence. Accepting the blunt reality of trial and hardship is the first step to dealing with adversity. The Christian is no more immune to cancer or hurricanes than the non-Christian. The ruin of the fall and the entrance of sin into the universe adversely affects both man and creation. Romans 8:22 states, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

We must realize that the primary purpose of adversity is to expose our weakness and drive us to fresh trust and dependence on Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to trust Him with each burden, each problem, each setback. 1 Peter 5:5-7 states, “…all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

God knows that if we trust Him as our faith is tested, we will discover His strength – we will grow stronger. In our weakness, we can discover His strength. The winds of financial misfortune, illness, divorce, or death, may be too much for us to handle, but nothing is too complicated or burdensome for God!

James 1:2-4 NKJV; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work and complete, lacking nothing.”

Phillips Modern English Version states: “When all kinds if trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until the endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, if any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God – who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty – and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.” Are you ready to meet God?

The Meanest Mother in the World

 

Today is Mother’s Day. Not all mothers are the same, and our experiences vary greatly. That’s why the following story is so interesting. Perhaps you had a mother like this one. I don’t know where this story comes from or who the author is.

“We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And what our mother fixed for us for dinner was a whole lot different from what other kids had, too. Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She had the nerve to break the child labor laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and do all sorts of cruel jobs. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds. Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn’t let our friends just honk the horn when they drove by. They had to come to the door so she could meet them. Whilst everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us has even been caught shoplifting or vandalizing property and none of us has ever been arrested for any crime. It was all her fault. We never got drunk, never took up smoking or drugs, never stayed out all night, and never did a million other things that got us in trouble like other kids. Sundays were reserved for church and we never missed once. We knew better than to ask to spend the night with a friend on Saturdays. Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents, just like Mom was. From what I see, today’s moms are pretty awesome. Some of them are single, some are stay at-home moms and others are out there in the job force. And surprisingly, many moms I see are just like my mom was. They’re pretty mean. And that’s a good thing!” - Timothy Merrill

[Matthew 19:4-6] “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” We are in a time where the lines of morality are blurred. The Bible is plain when it comes to who is to marry (one man to one woman), how children are to be parented (by both parents), and how children are to respond to their parents (reflecting Godly parenting). We should be thankful for days set aside to honor and give thanks for Godly mothers.

Where does a mother’s influence (parenting) begin? 2 Timothy 1:5 says, “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and you mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you also.” The mother (and grandmother) provide faith’s foundation from the home. This influence is far reaching and never ceases!

How do children respond to Godly parenting (mother)? Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Honoring our mother begins with obedience. This allows us to be aware of the blessings in our family and in His family! O God, thank you for our earthly mothers who have taught us to be a person of integrity and faithfulness that we may be of service to You.

Let's Be Honest

 

In 1999 a number of Turkish villages were destroyed by a massive earthquake. Sadly, this could have been avoided. Thirty years prior, the villagers had been warned by sci­entists that certain towns were situated on top of a major fault line. They were instructed to relocate as soon as possible. An earthquake could occur at any time.

The leaders convened to discuss the situa­tion. Their decision was shocking. They did not demand (or even encourage) the ­townspeople to move. Instead, they redrew the geological map and moved the fault line so that their villages would no longer be in dan­ger. Nobody needed to be bothered with the inconveniences and hassles associated with moving.

For 30 years the people had peace of mind. But then a powerful earthquake hit and vil­lages were destroyed. They were told the day was coming but they did not want to believe it - they did not want to be inconvenienced. They paid a heavy price.

May we never be like this! If we get news we do not like, we must change! We must move! We cannot just “move the line.” If we compare our lives to the Gospel and discover that we are not living in harmony with the will of God, we must change.

Billy Ray Harris was a homeless man in Kansas City, Missouri who, each day, would sit out his cup for folks to deposit their coins of charity. One day a lady, Sarah Darling, put some money into the cup and when she did her engagement ring fell off into the cup. Mr. Harris didn’t know that until he found it later that evening when he emptied his cup. He took the ring to a jeweler and discovered it was worth $4000. He held onto the ring and a few days later Ms. Darling came by, and Harris returned the ring to her. Because of his honesty, Billy Ray Harris’ life has greatly improved. It’s true, “Honesty is the best policy.”

[2 Corinthians 13:5] We tend to be honest with others, day by day, in our physical life, but how honest are we with ourselves about our spiritual life? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” Many tend to blame others for our poor relationship with God. Such a relationship can only be between you and God with nobody standing in the way. It’s been said – “The trouble with you is the one you groom daily.”

To be an honest Christian, one must be honest with the church. Don’t play “Hide and Seek” with the elders and the congregation. Elders have the responsibility to watch for the soul of each member (Hebrews 13:17). Members are to love one another and watch for one another. Yet some members forsake the assembly and not let anyone know (Hebrews 10:25). Are you sick and in need of prayer? Do you have to be somewhere else? Don’t develop “lock jaw” and have folks worrying and others scurrying around to find a replacement for your assigned duties. Life is fluid and we need to deal with it honestly.

We need to be honest with God. No matter what we may tell others, God knows the real truth behind our flimsy excuses. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile” (Psalm 94: 11). Wouldn’t one be more honest to confess their selfishness to God and ask His help in overcoming it? “God, I am sorry for not seeking your kingdom first in my life” (Matthew 6:33). Honesty is the best policy, and it will relieve a lot of stress.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27). No one can “kick the can down the road” or move the line of eternity to be saved some day. “…Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Eternity is only a heartbeat away.

Pitch Your Tent With God

 

We all appreciate a good seat. I spoke with a man who recently attended a basketball game and had the misfortune of sitting beside the aisle, and many times he could not see the game because people kept passing in front of him. It surely wasn’t the best seat in the arena. Parents arrive hours early to find a seat near the front so they can witness their child receiving their graduation diploma and enabling them to take quality photographs of the occasion. Folks will pay top dollar for concert tickets so they can lay eyes on the performer, not just his silhouette from a distance. Yes, sometimes a good seat is highly desired.

There are other times, however, where one sits doesn’t make a difference. One doesn’t have to be near the front – just being present is sufficient enough. A Presidential inauguration is a prime example. I remember one where nearly two million people turned out to attend the historical event. The majority knew they would never get very close to the President and would most likely only see him on the jumbotrons. Those present commented, “We just wanted to be here!” One man said, “I can tell my grandchildren that I was here!”

Abraham’s nephew Lot is a very interesting study in many areas. One of those areas can show us how sin can work its evil in our life. It can be seen in various places Lot finds himself and how his condition worsens each time. When Abraham gave him a choice of which way he and his herdsmen would go, “Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord …Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east…” From this point on it is interesting to note the places where Lot settles. From them we can learn the progressive nature of temptation and sin.

First, we see Lot pitching his tent “toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). This meant he set up camp in the direction of Sodom. Every day he went about his business. Sodom may well have been insight, and Lot may well have been tempted to move ever closer to Sodom’s wickedness. Next, we see Lot dwelling in Sodom (Genesis 14:12). Lot had moved into Sodom and was likely being influenced by the citizens’ wickedness in ever greater proportions, since he was living amongst them. Finally, we see Lot sitting at the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1). No longer is he simply a resident of that wicked city, he was apparently involved in its leadership. The city gates are where the elders and city officials sat and conducted business. Through it all, Lot remained righteous in the eyes of God (2 Peter 2:7-8). We certainly don’t know everything about Lot’s intentions or what was in his heart – but God did. And I do know this – the closer we dwell to sin, the easier it becomes to commit sin. And it all begins with where one pitches his tent. (James 1:14-16)

[Revelation 21:3] “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” The best seat, the most desired and prized seat, will be found in the presence of God. It won’t matter if we are near or far, there will be joy just being in His midst, and singing praises of His wonderful grace and love. In supreme gratitude we will cry out, “Blessed be God!” who created us and has given us every spiritual blessing in His Son. It is by His abundant mercy that He allows His fallen creation to dwell with Him eternally. Oh, what joy it will be just to be with Him! Our longing to be with our Father will be a reality. We will never be separated from Him. A good seat is any seat in the presence of our great God! So, even in the midst of a sinful world, we can pitch our tent in God’s word of love - and abide in it.

Become A Guide

 

He hasn’t done it all, but he’s done a lot. Erik Weihenmayer has summated Mount Everest as well as becoming one of the 150 climbers in the world who had, at the time, climbed the other 6 highest peaks in the world. He has kayaked 277 miles through the treacherous white waters of the Grand Canyon as well as ascending the 3,000-foot nose of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. Besides having appeared on the cover of Time magazine, three documentaries have been made about Erik’s accomplishments.

Why would so much attention be given to Erik Weihenmayer’s accomplishments? Because he’s blind. And, while so much focus has been on Weihenmayer’s achievements, he has made sure to give credit to whom credit is due. Erik has easily acknowledged that he couldn’t have completed any of his feats without the help of his many guides. Rob Baker, Eric Alexander, Luis Benitez, and Jeff Evans are just a few of the people who have willingly and ably guided Erik to his many successes.

[Jeremiah 6:16] Twenty-five hundred years ago, through Jeremiah, God said to the southern kingdom of Judah, “Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it” God has never left his people without guidance. In the Hebrew Scriptures, through Moses, God gave the Israelites the Law. Throughout Israel’s history, the prophets repeatedly tried to get God’s people back to the Law. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-20). In a Moses-like persona, Jesus went up the Mount and gave his disciples a new type of Law (or Torah; Matthew 5-7). This Law is not one that he would carve into tables of stone, but one that he would etch into their minds and on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10-12). In our world of religious confusion, people take many paths to find the good way, but God said we could only find the good way in the ancient paths. God pleaded to Judah to find the ancient paths and follow his Law, but they refused to do so, and this decision led to their destruction.

Today, Jesus is the Way to the Father (John 14:6) and we need to be followers of that Way (Acts 19:2). That is, we need to get back to Jesus’ teachings and follow his precepts, and only then can we become followers of that Way. We need to get back to the Bible. We need to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent and call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways. We need to restore the church as it was in the days of the apostles.  While there is no explanation for why people forsake the ancient paths today, their destination is the same as the ancient Jews. Their god is their own appetites and will lead to destruction. While some mind only earthly things, we should remember that we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:18-20a). When our god is our own appetites, we leave the ancient paths and find new, perverse paths. There are spiritually blind unbelievers all throughout the world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and Christians are called to guide them to the knowledge of the gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15-16).

Similar to Erik Weihenmayer’s guides, Christians must be willing to take the responsibility of guiding the spiritually blind to Christ. * Guides must be more than able to lead the spiritually blind. * Guides must be in better shape spiritually. * Guides must be connected to those they are guiding. * Christian guides must themselves be familiar with the way to get to Christ. Even for the sighted Christian, the narrow way to salvation is treacherous and difficult to stay on (Matthew 7:14). Blind unbelievers aren’t very likely to find their way to salvation without being guided (Romans 10:14).

Become a guide to the lost.